Tianjin University
天津大学
Founded in 1895 as Peiyang University, an engineering-led university strongest in chemical engineering and chemistry.
- Students
- 41,755
- 19,422 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CN¥16,600
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1895
- QS World Ranking
- #235
- 2027 edition
About TJU
Tianjin University was founded on 2 October 1895 as Peiyang University, which it describes as China's first modern university. It was among the first national key universities designated in 1959, took part in China's Project 211 and Project 985, and is a type A university in the Double First-Class (World-Class Universities) programme. It has two campuses in Tianjin: the historic Weijin Road Campus in Nankai District and the much larger Peiyangyuan Campus in the Haihe Education Park.
TJU is strongest in engineering and in combining science with technology, alongside economics, management, law, medicine, education and the arts. The university reports 15 disciplines in the top 1% of ESI, five of them in the top 0.1%, with engineering and chemistry in the top 0.01%. It is organised into more than 20 schools and colleges, from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and the School of Architecture to the College of Intelligence and Computing.
International students can choose from 67 undergraduate programmes. Most are taught in Chinese and need HSK 5, but three are taught in English: Chemical Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering, and Pharmaceutical Science. From the 2026 intake, applicants must take the new CSCA test. TJU suits students who want a serious engineering or chemistry education in China at a relatively low cost.
實事求是
“Seeking Truth from Facts” — university motto
Why students choose TJU
Three English-taught bachelor's programmes (Chemical Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science) sit in TJU's strongest fields.
Tuition is RMB 16,600 a year for most Chinese-taught majors and RMB 20,000 for English-taught ones.
TJU ranks 98th in the world in ARWU 2026, and reports engineering and chemistry in the top 0.01% of ESI.
International students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Chinese-taught programmes) or TJU's own scholarships, including the Qiushi Scholarship.
Admissions
September 2027 intake (TJU's published guide is for the past 2026 intake)
Selectivity
TJU does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Decisions combine academic records, recommendation, an interview and documents such as national college entrance exam scores from the applicant's home country; eligible applicants are interviewed on overall ability and Chinese proficiency.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | Required; applicants must be non-Chinese citizens under 25 who meet Ministry of Education Document No. 12 (2020). Under-18s need a notarised guardian certificate with a guardian who is a permanent Tianjin resident. |
|---|---|
| CSCA | Required for all undergraduate applicants (step 1 of TJU's process) |
| HSK (Chinese-taught programmes) | HSK 5 with 180 or above; HSK 4 with 180 or above for School of International Education programmes. Not required for native Chinese speakers or those educated in Chinese at high school. |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For the three English-taught programmes: TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 minimum; native English speakers are exempt. |
Deadlines
- TJU scholarship applicants (2026 intake) - PAST CYCLE, for reference only Non-binding PassedApril 1, 2026 (closed)
Because scholarship places are limited, scholarship applicants were asked to apply before April 1.
- 2026 intake, online application - PAST CYCLE, for reference only Non-binding PassedApril 15, 2026 (closed)
Previous cycle: applications ran October 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026, with results announced in July 2026. The 2027 schedule had not been published as of September 29, 2026.
- Chinese Government Scholarship Type A (Chinese-taught programmes) Non-bindingSet by the Chinese embassy or consulate; usually November to early February
Choose Tianjin University as first choice; TJU suggests obtaining its Pre-admission Notice or supervisor acceptance letter before applying at the embassy.
TJU's latest published undergraduate guide is for the 2026 intake (October 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026). A 2027 guide had not been published as of September 29, 2026; expect a similar window opening in autumn 2026, and apply before April if you want a scholarship.
How to apply
Take the CSCA, then apply online through TJU's International Student Service System (tju.at0086.cn/student) and upload your documents; eligible applicants are then interviewed. Admitted students pay a RMB 7,000 deposit and the RMB 420 application fee by the deadline, after which TJU issues the electronic Admission Notice and JW202 visa form (from July). Chinese Government Scholarship Type A applicants apply through the Chinese embassy in their country.
What admissions looks for
- Strong academic records and, where available, your home country's national college entrance exam scores.
- CSCA results.
- Language proficiency for your programme: HSK 5 (180+) for Chinese-taught, TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 for English-taught.
- A recommendation and a good interview, which assesses overall ability and Chinese proficiency.
Tips for applying to TJU
- 1 Book the CSCA early: it is the first step in TJU's process and is required for every undergraduate applicant.
- 2 If you need English-taught classes, you are limited to three majors; most of TJU's 67 programmes require HSK 5.
- 3 Apply for TJU scholarships before April 1: places are limited and the deadline is earlier than the general one.
- 4 Budget for non-refundable payments: RMB 420 application fee plus a RMB 7,000 deposit once admitted.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) is for Chinese-taught programmes and is applied for through Chinese embassies or consulates. Tianjin University also offers the Qiushi Scholarship (Tianjin University International Student Scholarship), a Chemical Engineering scholarship and the Motian Scholarship, applied for by uploading a form in the online system. TJU says a large proportion of its students benefit from government, university or corporate scholarships.
- RMB 420 (not charged to Chinese Government Scholarship winners)
- Application fee
- RMB 7,000, non-refundable
- Deposit on admission
- RMB 800 a year
- Accident and hospitalisation insurance
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters
Chemical Engineering and Technology
Taught in English, in a field where TJU reports its engineering and chemistry disciplines are in the top 0.1% of ESI.
Environmental Engineering
One of only three English-taught bachelor's programmes for international students.
Pharmaceutical Science
English-taught, run by the School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology.
Architecture
TJU's only five-year bachelor's programme, priced as a special major at RMB 26,000 a year.
Chinese (for International Students)
Offered through the School of International Education, with an HSK 4 (180+) entry requirement instead of HSK 5.
Research
- TJU reports 11 national key laboratories and 13 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (as of 2021).
- The university reports 15 disciplines in the top 1% of ESI, five of them in the top 0.1%, including engineering and chemistry.
Schools & faculties
- School of Architecture
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Electrical and Information Engineering
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering
- College of Intelligence and Computing
- College of Management and Economics
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
- School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering
- School of Marine Science and Technology
- School of International Education
Student life
TJU life is split between two campuses. The older Weijin Road Campus in Nankai District houses more than 10,000 students in 13 dormitory buildings, while the newer Peiyangyuan Campus has 24 enclosed courtyard dormitory buildings for about 20,000 students, laid out around teaching buildings, dining halls and supermarkets. International students can choose from several types of campus dormitory, priced from RMB 15 to 60 per bed per day. As Peiyang University, TJU has a long history in Tianjin, and the university still uses the Peiyang name for its newer campus.
- Two campuses: historic Weijin Road and the large Peiyangyuan Campus in Haihe Education Park.
- Peiyangyuan's 24 courtyard dormitory buildings house about 20,000 students.
- More than 2,000 international degree students (2021).
- Asteroid 8917 Tianjindaxue is named after the university.
Housing. International students choose from several dormitory types on the two campuses, at RMB 15 to 60 per bed per day.
Location
Tianjin is one of northern China's largest cities and a major port, close to Beijing. TJU's Weijin Road Campus sits at No. 92 Weijin Road in Nankai District, near the city centre, while the larger Peiyangyuan Campus is in the Haihe Education Park, a university district outside the core city. Campus dormitories from RMB 15 per bed per day keep housing costs low.
Nearest airport: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN)
Notable alumni
- WC Wang Ch'ung-huiJurist, diplomat and judge at the Permanent Court of International Justice; studied law at Peiyang University, graduating in 1900
- MY Ma YinchuEconomist; studied mining and metallurgy at Peiyang University
- XZ Xu ZhimoPoet; studied law at Peiyang University in 1916
- ZT Zhang TaileiA leader of the 1927 Guangzhou Uprising; studied law at Peiyang University
- LY Larry YungFormer chairman of CITIC Pacific; majored in electronic engineering at Tianjin University
- SJ Shixin Jack HuMechanical engineer and chancellor of the University of California, Riverside; bachelor's degree from Tianjin University, 1983
Frequently asked questions
Does Tianjin University teach in English?
Three of its 67 undergraduate programmes for international students are taught in English: Chemical Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering, and Pharmaceutical Science. They require TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0.
Do I need the CSCA to apply to Tianjin University?
Yes. TJU lists taking the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) as step 1 of its undergraduate application process.
What HSK level does Tianjin University require?
HSK 5 with a score of 180 or above for Chinese-taught programmes, or HSK 4 (180+) for programmes in the School of International Education.
How much is tuition at Tianjin University for international students?
RMB 16,600 a year for most Chinese-taught majors, RMB 20,000 for English-taught majors and RMB 26,000 for special majors such as Architecture and Software Engineering.
When is the Tianjin University application deadline?
For the 2026 intake, applications ran from October 15, 2025 to April 15, 2026, with scholarship applicants asked to apply by April 1. The 2027 dates had not been published as of September 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to TJU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.